Rethinking Glacier Insulation in the Alpine Space: Microplastic Concerns and Sustainable Materials

Technical interventions on glaciers have emerged as innovative approaches to mitigate the impacts of climate change on vital cryospheric systems. Mountain glaciers play a crucial role in regulating freshwater availability, providing ecosystem services, and supporting economic activities. However, these glaciers are retreating at alarming rates due to rising global temperatures. Geoengineering strategies aim to counteract these losses by preserving glacier mass, reducing ice melt, and managing runoff to protect downstream ecosystems and communities. Key approaches include albedo enhancement using reflective materials to decrease solar absorption and glacier insulation with physical coverings, such as those used on Austrian glacial skiing areas.

While these interventions provide clear benefits for economically utilized glaciers, such as extending ski seasons, they also present significant environmental impacts. Glaciers host diverse microbial communities, which are highly sensitive to external influences. Studies show that covering glacial surfaces reduces bacterial activity by up to 70% and disrupts microbial community structures, with autotrophic organisms struggling to thrive under light-reduced conditions. Additionally, geotextiles made from polypropylene (PP), commonly used for glacier insulation, release microplastic fibers that are dispersed by meltwater and wind. In supraglacial environments, accumulative fiber lengths of up to 3 kilometers per m² of ice have been detected. These fibers are subsequently found downstream, attached to or incorporated into invertebrates, posing risks to aquatic ecosystems.

The Action Plan Microplastics released by the Environmental Agency of Austria emphasizes the urgent need for environmentally friendly alternatives to mitigate such risks in sensitive glacial ecosystems. Recent testing of cellulose-based materials on an alpine glacier has demonstrated comparable performance to PP in reducing ice melt without contributing to chemical leaching or fiber release. Moreover, cellulose-based materials can be integrated into circular processes, enabling upcycling into new fashion products and reducing waste. Collaboration with policymakers and manufacturers to promote a shift toward sustainable materials could enable the continued use of technical interventions on glaciers where needed while minimizing their environmental impact.